Author: Michelle Korhonen
Miki LowePublished in The Atlantic in 1994By Margaret AtwoodIllustrations by Miki LoweDecember 17, 2023, 8 AM ETWhen the poet and novelist Margaret Atwood was a child, she spent much of each year in the forests of northern Quebec. Her father was an entomologist—he kept an insect lab up there—and the family went along with him to the freezing wilds without electricity. “Places choose you,” the adult Atwood once said when asked how she decided where to locate a story. In a sense, that was also true of her early life. Her father chose the place, or the place chose her;…
Find out “New Gene Therapy for Childhood Epilepsy: UCL Researchers Spark Hope for Seizure-Free Future” A glimmer of hope shines for children battling a particularly devastating form of epilepsy, thanks to a groundbreaking gene therapy developed by UCL researchers. This innovative approach, published in the prestigious journal Brain, offers a potential alternative to risky brain surgery for children with focal cortical dysplasia (FCD), a malformation that disrupts the normal functioning of the brain’s frontal lobes.FCD: A Cruel Foe in a Child’s BrainFCD wreaks havoc on the brain’s command center, the frontal lobes, crucial for planning, decision-making, and learning. This malformation…
This is an edition of The Atlantic Daily, a newsletter that guides you through the biggest stories of the day, helps you discover new ideas, and recommends the best in culture. Sign up for it here.Welcome back to The Daily’s Sunday culture edition, in which one Atlantic writer reveals what’s keeping them entertained. Today’s special guest is Elise Hannum, an assistant editor at The Atlantic who has written about Snoopy as the hero Gen Z needs and the joy of watching awards-show speeches.Elise listens to Fall Out Boy when she needs to get work done—a habit she hasn’t shaken since…
Study uncovers vast genomic diversity in Aboriginal Australian communities – Unraveling the Genomic Tapestry of Aboriginal Australians: A Deep Dive into a Groundbreaking StudyFor millennia, the Aboriginal communities of Australia have thrived in a unique island continent, their history etched not only in the land but also in their genes. A recent groundbreaking study, published in the prestigious journal Nature, has shed light on the vast and previously understudied genomic diversity within these communities, opening a new chapter in our understanding of human evolution and adaptation.A Treasure Trove of Genetic VariationEmploying cutting-edge long-read sequencing technology, researchers delved into the genomes…
Our most popular global stories of 2023 offer insights into the stereotypes of male hunters/female gatherers, the biases of AI, the best way to end poverty and the impact of a stranger’s greeting.(Image credit: Scott Wallace/Getty Images, Midjourney Bot Version 5.1. Annotation by NPR, David Rowland/AP)
Perhaps no puzzle has consumed the American media more in the past few months than the chasm between official measures of the economy and how average people feel about it. Inflation is down, and wages are up—yet voters remain gloomy. Young people are, at least by some measures, the most pessimistic. They think the economy is bad and getting worse. Why? The answer has major implications, not least on the outcome of the next presidential election. You can’t blame the media for being so eager to figure it out. But pundits and reporters might want to look harder at their…
Yes, a strong immune system can definitely impact the herpes simplex virus (HSV) in several ways. Herpes simplex virus (HSV) lurks within a staggering two-thirds of the global population, a silent guest in many but a formidable foe for some. While most experience occasional cold sore flare-ups, HSV can unleash a more aggressive side, causing severe eye infections and even brain inflammation. This viral threat has long piqued the curiosity of researchers, who’ve been locked in a quest to understand how our immune system manages this delicate dance of containment.A recent breakthrough from Harvard Medical School illuminates the cellular battlefield where…
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf (14) celebrates his touchdown by using American Sign Language during an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, Nov. 19, 2023, in Inglewood, Calif. Kyusung Gong/AP hide caption toggle caption Kyusung Gong/AP Seattle Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf (14) celebrates his touchdown by using American Sign Language during an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, Nov. 19, 2023, in Inglewood, Calif. Kyusung Gong/AP When Darrell Utley began his first American Sign Language lesson with a new student, he didn’t realize his client was a star football player. “I had…
The quirky ex–cast member came back to the sketch show, only to disappear into it.Will Heath / NBCDecember 17, 2023, 11:29 AM ETWhen Kate McKinnon departed the Saturday Night Live stage in May 2022, along with a slew of others including Pete Davidson and Aidy Bryant, the clock immediately began counting down to her return. Davidson had the honor of being the first among that departing cohort to host, earlier this season, but McKinnon got her chance last night, closing out the year with SNL’s annual Christmas episode. As she discovered, it’s one thing to steal the scene and quite…
Bonus tips for breakage-free detangling:Wet is better: Always work with wet or damp hair, as dry strands are more prone to snapping.Oil is your friend: Apply a detangling conditioner or oil generously throughout the process. Think of it as hair insurance!Start from the bottom: Begin detangling at the ends of your locs and work your way up to minimize breakage.Listen to your hair: If you feel excessive resistance or pain, stop and reassess. Your hair will tell you when it needs a break.Pro help is a click away: If you’re feeling overwhelmed, don’t hesitate to consult a professional loctician. They have the expertise and tools to guide you through the detangling…